The Things I put Myself Through

Bloody hell. The things I put myself through in the interests of lightening your coffee break. Sometimes even I can't take the pace, and like now, find myself with a throbbing head and slight tremors in my hands.

It all started when I received a visitor on Tuesday evening who I haven't had the pleasure of carousing with for a number of years. Jason, for that is name, is my Brother's wife's' stepbrother and he was visiting this fair isle from his home in the US of A. He's a very well traveled American having spent nearly 10 years living and working in The Czech Republic. That place taught him to party!.

Tuesday night was a catch up in the pub followed by a large amount of scotch.

Wednesday saw us take in bits of the British Museum. Jason is studying to become a Marine Archeologist which seems to me to be a strange but watery profession in that should he find a shed load of solid gold dubloons from the spanish main while grubbing about at the bottom of some abyss somewhere he's not allowed to keep any of them? In fact when these types get their accreditations they sign a pledge not to. A strange old business indeed, apparently Indy was shabby thief!

I bought a pad and a pencil from the gift shop in case I felt the urge to write anything down. The pencil was not sharpened so I enquired of the kiosk whether I could borrow a sharpener. I could. I sharpened. And sharpened. My sharpening was in vain as the lead was broken throughout and in the end I was left just holding an eraser. The kind lady found me another unsharpened pencil and sharpened that one instead until it worked. She blamed schoolchildren who like tap the pencils and then put them back to be sold to unsuspecting types like me. Be warned. Anyway, enough pencil action for now. More later...

We started off the evening in the secret pub and then charged in to West Soho to

Two Floors

Good bar. The review is pretty accurate. We got into the drinks and were joined by the beautiful and ravishing Slinx who stole the show in a cherry red Trilby hat. Men were dropping their drinks all around. She really seems not to realise it though? We were soon treated to an unexpected guest appearance by The Duke. Eight armed and forewarned we got into some more drinks. We then started drawing Elephants in the pad from the museum with the successfully sharpened pencil. Jason broke the rules by drawing a very good Flamingo. Apparently he entertains his two year old daughter like that. It worked on me and The Duke. At this point Slinx, unusually sensibly reminded us that food would be a good thing.

Busaba Eathai

Wardour Street. Slinx led us here. This place is great! Some reviews have complained about the service. We had no problems even though it was rammed busy. Perhaps that cheeky red Trilby got us noticed? You sit on communal tables that seat about 10 people, so don't expect a private chat but a lively time. The good thing about this is that you can see up close what other peoples food looks like. And, if you ask nicely like I did you can taste other peoples food to help you make your choice. Thanks leather clad Soho biker fellas! I had a fantastic chili, duck and tomato Thai Curry. It was the best meal I've had in long time. Not bad on the wallet either, Our dinner for four with rice, a beer each and water cost just over 50 squid not including the little squid tentacles in Slinx fish stir fry. Sadly she didn't like those but Jason and The Duke weighed in with heavy artillery and hoovered them up.

The evening for Jason and I ended at Lab with Sidecars from Tim the barman.

We rolled home...

Wednesday...

After a late start courtesy of nightcap vodka's we had a watery day and went to see the Cutty Sark and The Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

Luckily we also found a good pub to have a late lunch in, after all it was St Patricks Day.

Then we nipped to The Tate Modern. If you haven't been you should go. Forget the art perhaps? Just marvel at the building.

The tide on the Thames was the lowest I have ever seen it and Jasons eyes lit up as he pointed out rotted posts and wooden walls that were hundreds and hundreds of years old. Well we had to didn't we? We went on a Marine Archeology dig on the beach opposite the Tate.

I am now the proud owner of very old clay pipes and bits of ceramic. Yet more lovely clutter for me!

A couple of pints and the evening was upon us.

The Cantaloupe

Out Old Street way this is a really good place to start a wild night. The bar is funky, loud, boho fashionable and lively with plenty of Hoxton haircuts to amuse you. Also the restaurant was really very good indeed. The drinks were good. They mix a great Bloody Mary.

More bars happened. Things started to get silly so we cranked it up to danger time.

Mother

So good I'll treat you to two reviews

ViewLondon Review

ItchyLondon Review

This place is why my head is throbbing and my hands have the tremors. What a great night, and this was a Wednesday!

The DJs were fantastic, the place was exploding. By 3 AM the place was flying and everybody in it was seriously but happily wasted on their drug of choice. Who knows if anyone there had to work on Thursday but this crowd was going for it. We joined them. Its not big, but it is clever. Go and be properly decadent children.

Luckily I had booked the morning off.

I thought I felt bad when I got up but when I saw Jason I knew I'd fulfilled my mission.

London is a seriously up beat and wild city at the moment. Other than the nagging fear that someone will blow up the tube...

thegardener1969@msn.com